On Thursday, the United Nations General Assembly, in a unanimous decision, passed the first-ever global resolution on artificial intelligence (AI), calling on nations to prioritize the safeguarding of human rights, personal data protection, and the assessment of AI-related risks.
Initiated by the United States and jointly endorsed by China along with over 120 countries, the resolution, although nonbinding, signals a global consensus on the need for strengthening privacy policies in the face of AI’s rapid development.
“Today, all 193 members of the United Nations General Assembly have spoken in one voice, and together, chosen to govern artificial intelligence rather than let it govern us,” US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said.
This move aligns with ongoing global efforts to navigate the challenges posed by AI, including potential threats to democracy, increased fraud, and significant job displacements. Europe leads in regulatory measures, with the EU already reaching a provisional agreement to regulate the technology this month. Meanwhile, the Biden administration is advocating for AI regulation within a divided U.S. Congress, which has yet to make substantial progress.
